Offering private, in-home swimming lessons throughout the Tampa Bay area

Under the sea! Under the sea! Darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter- take it from me!

Tired of the same old costumes every year? Why not dive in to these adorable ocean-themed costumes this Halloween! Whether your child wants to be a sparkly mermaid, a scary shark, or a little fishy, these unique costumes are sure to impress! Check out our Top Five favorite SEA-worthy costumes below for some fun ideas for your family!

5. Mermaid

This is the best girls costume on land and sea! Make your little swimmer’s dream come true with this sweet costume!

(Target)

4. Sea Turtle

Slow down and enjoy this turtle-y adorable costume on your baby!

(www.WonderCostumes.com)

3. Clown Fish

Get hooked on this Clown Fish costume for your little one this Halloween!

(Amazon)

2. Shark

Take a bite out of Halloween fun with this cozy catch of the day!

(Party City)

1. Octupus

Your baby will have extra arms to hug you with while wearing this sweet little number!

(Oriental Trading)

Planning to use one of these adorable costume ideas for Halloween this year? Submit a photo of your child in their ocean-themed Halloween costume to mermaidswimschool@hotmail.com for a chance for your child to be featured on the Mermaid Swim School Facebook page!

Hooray!!! It’s finally the time of year that we’ve all been waiting for! Although, Fall is not the first season that comes to mind when the rest of the country thinks of Florida, we Floridians know that Fall in Florida is the absolute best! The worst of the heat is finally over and you can actually enjoy spending time outdoors again. We are currently in that sweet spot in between when the summertime vacationers have left and the snow birds haven’t yet arrived-the time of the year when you can head to your favorite beach and easily find a parking spot! Ready to take full advantage of the season that is upon us? Check out these fun activities you can enjoy with your family this Fall:

Take Your Family Camping: Florida has some of the best camp sites and parks around to enjoy the beautiful Fall weather and outdoors with your loved ones!

Head to Your Local Beach: Enjoy a break from the crowds and head to your favorite beach with your family for some much needed fun in the sun!

Fall Festivals: Florida is home to some of the best Fall festivals in the nation! Check out which festivals are taking place near you!

Go Swimming: Unlike the rest of the country, here in Florida we get to experience beautiful weather year round! Fall is the perfect time of the year to stay active with your family, and what better way to do that than to go for a swim?!

Visit Your Local Pumpkin Patch: Watch your children’s eyes light up as they get to choose their very own pumpkin- then head home and let the decorating begin!

As a Floridian, I have to say there is nothing more relaxing than spending a hot afternoon in the sun by the pool! It is especially easy to relax when you know you have taken all the precautions necessary to keep your family safe! Check out these 5 tips from safety experts on how you can keep your children safe by the pool-

Make sure your children can swim! Starting swim lessons as early as six months is a great way to make sure your child develops a comfortable relationship with the water. Enrolling your children in swim lessons is one of easiest ways to ensure your family is safe in the pool.

Make sure your pool is surrounded by a fence! Completely surrounding your pool with a 4 foot or higher fence with a self-closing gate is the easiest way to ensure your young children will stay out of the water until a parent or guardian is present to open the gate.

Always keep your young children within arms reach! All children should be under an adult’s supervision at all times.

As an adult in Florida, you probably have many fond memories of spending your summers at a beach or by the pool swimming with friends and having fun. Little did you know, the swimming you were doing had so many more benefits than just a good time! Check out these reasons why swimming is so beneficial for children:

Swimming is great exercise! Swimming is not only an awesome cardiovascular work out, but also increases strength, endurance, flexibility, and even balance!

Learning how to swim keeps your children safe and lowers their risk of drowning. Although, no child is ever “drown proof” knowing how to swim significantly lowers your child’s risk of drowning in the case of an emergency.

Getting your children involved in swimming for athletics is an awesome way to not only keep your children active, but also to learn team building skills and sportsmanship. Studies also show that children who are involved in teams also have more self confidence!

According o the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming is also great for children’s mental health. Swimming has been known to improve mood and decrease anxiety.

When you swim as a family, you could experience enhanced family bonding!

Interested in getting your children involved in swimming? Mermaid Swim School has you covered! Mermaid Swim School offers lessons for children of all ages and skill levels. Call today to get your children signed up for private instruction with one of our experienced swim instructors and let your children experience the positive benefits of swimming!

Garry grew up in IL and graduated from Eastern IL University with a B.S. degree in Physical Education and a minor in Psychology. During the summer months Garry served as the Aquatic Director at the Towering Pines Boys camp in Eagle River Wisconsin. After college Garry got his first coaching job at the Hall of Fame pool in Ft. Lauderdale FL, where Former Olympic Coach Jack Nelson hired Garry to be his Head Age Group Coach and Head Instructor for the Jack Nelson Swim School. During his time at FLST Garry learned the skills required to teach children of all ages how to swim. Garry continued his career serving as Head Coach for various schools, as well as started his own club team called the Broward Seahawks. During that time Garry he also became one of the first Program Directors for the new learn-to-swim program called Swim America. Garry went on to coach his teams to 42 national champions, 7 national records, 232 all Americans and several top 2 team finishes. Garry was also honored as National Male Coach of the Year 1995 and 1997. Garry was also voted into the BCC Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

After all his success, Garry retired from full-time teaching and coaching in 2011. After a brief stint in Asheville, North Carolina, he missed the water and moved to St. Petersburg. “I have always wanted to stay involved in swimming and working for Mermaid Swim School to teach lessons to the children of this area is a great opportunity. I believe all parents should consider getting their children lessons, with the amount of water in our area it is a must. I look forward to teaching your children in a fun and safe way.”

People of all ages and fitness levels, including pregnant women can enjoy water workouts. When submerged in chest-deep water, about 85 percent to 90 percent of the body’s weight remains supported. As a result, much less stress is placed on the body’s joints during aquatic exercise than during similar exercise on land. The buoyancy provided by water will improve your balance, posture and flexibility, so you are less likely to experience aches and soreness following a water workout. This makes water aerobics an ideal choice not only for healthy individuals but also for those affected by medical conditions such as arthritis, neck and back problems, strokes and obesity. Gather your friends and organize a healthy and fun fitness class today with Mermaid Swim School!

Get in shape and have a great time in the tranquility of your home, community, or vacation pool with our water fitness program. Experienced certified instructors will provide customized workouts to meet your individual needs. The classes are taught in waist or chest deep water and involve synchronized moves while you burn calories to your favorite music. Common water exercises include walking or running backward and forward in the pool, jumping jacks, and cross-country skiing motion. Other moves similar to dancing and land aerobics may also be incorporated in the fitness routine. You may choose to utilize special water aerobic equipment, such as water weights and floating belts designed to increase water resistance or to help in flotation and balance.